Motor-vehicle.



No. 665,497. Patented Ian. 8, I901. W. 0. WORTH.

MOTOR-VEHICLE.

(Application' filed June 12, 1899.) (No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 665,497. Patented Ian, a, mm. W. o. wonm MOTOR NEHICLE.

(Application filed June 12, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Shoots-Shoot 2.

No. 665,497. Pafented Ian. 8, mm. W. 0. WORTH. moron VEHICLE.

(Application filed June 12, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.

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IIIIlIIII/(IIII/ UNTTED STATES PATENT Trice.

WILLIAM O. WORTH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO WILLIAM R. DONALDSON, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, AND HENRY W. KELLOGG, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

MOTOR-VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 665,497, dated January 8, 1901.

Application filed June 12,1899. Serial No- 720,281. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: tical construction embodying my invention Be it known that 1, WILLIAM O.WORTH, of I do not limit myself to the precise construc- Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of tions shown and described, except Where spe- 7 1 Illinois, have invented certain new and usecifically referred to by letters of reference in 5 ful lmprovementsin Motors and Motor-Vehithe claims, because of the capabilities and cles; and I hereby declare that the following adaptabilities of the invention and the posis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, sible facility of modification thereof while reference being had to the accompanying utilizing the beneficial features of the invendrawings, which form part of this specification.

10 tion. Referring to the accompanying drawings, This invention is an improvement in mo- Figure 1 is a bottom plan View of a motortors and motor-vehicles. vehicle, illustrating the arrangement of parts The primary object of the invention is to thereof, each Wheel being indicated as conprovide a novel secondary motor which is structed with a secondary hydraulic motor [5 driven by fluid-pressure from a prime motor arranged within its hub, so that all four and while originally designed for use on the wheels are practically locomotive. Fig. 2 is motor-vehicle and shown applied thereto is an enlarged cross-section through the motor nevertheless applicable in the arts for a vahub and axle of one of the wheels on line 2 2, riety of uses unnecessary to enumerate here, Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a similar view on line 3 3,

20 but which will be readily comprehended by Fig. at. Fig. 4: is a reduced vertical longitu those skilled in the art when acquainted with dinal section through one motorhub and the mode of operation of the secondary motor front axle. Fig. 5 is a face view of a motorand its efficient action and the novel manner wheel. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of one in which it can be located for operation at of the steering-wheel supports. Fig. 7 is a 25 any desired point. longitudinal section of the rear axle and one Another principal object and characteristic of the wheels thereon. Fig. 8 is a detail secnovelty of this invention is to employ hytion through the coupling D. Fig.9isaperdraulic-motor wheels on the vehicle or to lopendioular section through Fig. 7. Fig. 10 cate secondary hydraulic motors in the hubs is a detail section of a casting F.

30 of some or all of the wheels of the vehicle, so Referring to said drawings by letters, a

that the power is applied directly thereto, prime motor A of any suitable construction the motor constituting part of the wheel and is suspended under the bottom of the vehicle the latter rotating around a stationary axle and operatesa fluid-pump B,also of anysuitor spindle, so that practically every wheel of able construction, which will produce aforci- 35 the vehicle can be a motor and each wheel ble circulation of fluid from the pump to the driven independently of the others. The adsecondary motors in the hubs of the wheels vantages of such construction will be also through suitable conduits, as hereinafter dobetter appreciated when the invention is fully scribed. I should say that I preferably emexplained. ployoil as afluid, as it should be substantially 40 Another object is to provide means for cirnon-elastic and non-compressible,and the secculating the motive fluid from the prime moondary motors might be called hydraulic 9o tor to the secondary motors in a simple and motors and are adapted to be positively driven efficient manner, so that when applied to 1100- by the circulating currents of fluid. From tor-vehicles the supporting-axles or runningthe pump B the oil is forcedthrough a pipe 45 gear of the vehicle can be utilized as con- 1) to the tubular rear axle C, which preferably duits for the motive fluid. is longitudinally divided into separate com- Without further generalization I would say partments o 0, one for the outtlowing oil and a that while I have shown in the accompanying the other for the return of oil. As shown, a drawings a motor-vehicle of simple and pracdouble coupling-joint D is attached to the axle, this joint being made in halves fitted closely to the axle and having upper and lower pipe-sockets (Z d, Fig. 8, the former of which is connected to pipe I) and communicates with passage 0 through an opening 0 in the tubular axle C, while the latter is connected to a return-pipe 1), leading to the pump, and communicates with passage 0 through an opening 0 in the axle O, as indicated in the drawings. The sockets (Z d are on one half of the coupling, and the other half is bolted thereto, as indicated in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

On the ends of axle C are mounted two of the motor-wheels E. All being constructed alike, only one need be explained. The wheel E has a large hollow hub E, having annular bearing-flanges c e, by which it is supported upon the end of axle O, frictionless bearings being interposed between the bearing-flanges and axle, as at c c These bearings may be balls or rollers, the latter being shown. The outer end of hub E may be closed by a cap 6 and the inner end by a stuffing-box ring 6 fitted closelyon the axle and screwed into the part c of the hub against a packing e therein, Figs. 7 and 9, so that the hub is both fluidtight and dust-proof.

\Vithin the hollow annular part of the hub is placed a casting F, in which are the pistons and ports of the motor. This casting F is supported on shaft 0 by short annular bearing-collarsff, Figs. 7 and 9, the bearings 6 being confined between collarf and cap c and bearings 6 between collarfand a ring f against which packing e is pressed. Casting F is firmly secured to the axle G and is provided at one, two, or more points with semicircular recesses F in which are closely fitted gear-pistons G, which are journaled on shafts g, fitted in or secured to the sides of the casting F, as shown, and preferably are mounted on frictionless bearings, roller-bearings g being shown. The teeth of these pistons mesh with an internal annular gear E in hub E, so that if the pistons G are rotated the hub will be turned. The pistons G are fitted very closely in recesses F so that practically no oil or fluid can slip by the pistons, but must pass around them and rotate them in so doing. At each side of each piston G is a small chamber H h, respectively, chambers H being the inlet or working chambers and-chambers h the exhaust-chambers.

The fluid is conducted from passage 0 in axle C through an opening 0 into a chamber H, formed within casting f, said chamber H communicating with both chambers H, as shown in Fig. 3. Fluid escapes from chambers 7L into another chamber h in casting F, which latterchambercommunicates with passage c in axle C through an opening 0 therein. (See Fig. 2.) The casting F is shaped substantially as shown in the drawings, so that there will be no communication between the inlet and outlet oil-passages except by passing the pistons.

The oil entering chambers H under pressure finds itself obstructed by the piston and begins to react against the gear E and against that part of the pistons G within recesses F Consequently there will be a tendency of the hub and casting F to move relatively to each other, and as the casting is fast on the shaft 0 and the latter rigidly connected to the body of the vehicle the hub is rotated, thus turning the wheel on the shaft, as is obvious. The oil thus circulates from the pump through pipe I) to the passage 0 into chamber II and chambers H to the pistons, thence through chambers hand it to passage 0, to pipe I), and back to the pump. Thus by forcing the oil continuonsly through the pipes and passages the motor-wheels are d ri ven at more or less speed, according to the velocity, volume, and pressure of the curlcnt of oil. Practically the tlowot' oil is regulated so that any desired speed from minimum to maximum can be obtained. This can be accomplished by varying the speed of the engine, but prel'embly by valve mechanism of such character that the motors can be controlled without stopping the engine or prime motor The mechanism and the preferred form of pump form subjects of other applications for patents.

Preferably for motor-vehicles the hubs E can be provided with spokes, as usual, and cushion-tires or pneumatic tires of large size employed. I do not, however, deem it necessary herein to enter into details of construction which have no particular reference to the present invention. The front axle of the motor-vehicle is preferably differently constructed from the rear axle and (see Fig. 4) consists of a pair of parallel upper and lower bars I I, between and to the extremities of which are pivoted yokes J, which swing horizontally and are provided with rearwardly-extending arms J, which are connected together and to a suitable steering device (not shown) by which the yokes may be turned simultaneously.

Projecting from the center of each yoke .I is a tubular spindle K, (see Figs. 4 and 0,) which is closed at its outer end and divided interiorly by a longitudinal partition in! o passages k 71;, which are connected, respectively, at rear to the ends of pipes 76 k pipes being connected by a coupling of any suitable construction with the pipe Z), leading from the outlet of the pump, and pipes 70 connecting with the pipe Z), leading to the inlet of the pump. Motor-Wheels E constructed like that already described are mounted upon spindles K.

If preferred, instead of employing the pipes 7& k the construction shown in Fig. 6 might be adopted. In this the bars I I are shown as tubular and are respectively connected to pipes 19 and b. The arms and trunnions of yokes J are also made hollow and respectively communicate with passages 76 7c, and the trunnions communicate with the interior of tubes I I, so that the oil is conducted to and from the motor-wheels on spindles K through the hollow bars I.

In a four-wheel vehicle each Wheel travels at different speed in rounding a curve or turning, and in ordinary constructions this is a serious difficulty; but by the present invention each wheel being independent can increase or decrease its speed relatively to the others in turning the vehicle Without injuring or straining the wheels, the motors, engine, or other working parts of the apparatus.

By this invention I can proportion the motors and the power utilized therein to the load to be borne or carried on each wheel. The front wheels ordinarily having less weight to carry than the rear wheels, their motors could be smaller, and the power can be distributed eq ually to the wheels according to their load.

In the vehicle shown and described each Wheel is self-propelling or directly driven. This enables the power to be directly applied at the most effective point-to wit, the hubs of the wheels and to each wheel separatelyand should any motor break down the others might suffice to get the vehicle home. In turning the advantages of having each Wheel independently propelled will be obvious.

I believe myself to be the first to locate a fluid-motor in the hub of a wheel and the first to make a motor-vehicle with self-contained fluid-motor wheels or self-propelling wheels,

also the first to use secondary motors for in dependently propelling each Wheel. I do not intend herein to restrict myself to the secondary motor as applied to vehicle-wheels, for it can be readily adapted to other useful purposes, nor to restrict myself to the employment of the motor with the supporting-shaft stationary and the wheel revolving, as the motor could be readily adapted to operate reversely-that is, to rotate the shaft while the wheel part E was fixed. As a motor-wheel the invention is particularly adapted for motor-vehicles of any description and is not restricted to employment on four-wheel vehicles.

By employing oil as the driving fluid I obtain the ad vantages of thorough lubrication of the working arts, lessening of friction of fluid in the conduits and passages, prevent oxidation of working parts, and avoid liability of freezing.

Finally, I do not confine myself to employment of non-elastic fluids, but prefer theme of them, because the power is more positively and certainly transmitted thereby.

Having thus described my invention, what I therefore claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon, is-

l. In a vehicle, the combination of a carrying-wheel, a prime fluid-motor located on the vehicle,and a secondary fluid-motor located in the wheel and driving the latter, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a vehicle, the combination of supporting-wheels, and secondary fluid-motors in the hubs of said wheels; 'with a primary motor for circulating a current of fluid through each of said secondary motors, substantially as de' scribed.

3. In a vehicle, the combination of supporting-wheels having interior self-contained secondary fluidmotors, a fluid-pump, and fluidconduits for conducting fluid from said pump to each of said motors and return, for the purpose and substantially as described.

4:. Inavehicle, the combination of supporting-wheels having fluid-motors in their hubs, an engine carried by the vehicle and a pump operated by said engine; with fluid-conduits connecting the pump with the motors, for the purpose and substantially as described.

5. In a four-wheel vehicle, the combination of the supporting-wheels each having a fluidmotor; with a common fluid-forcing apparatus located upon the vehicle and means for conducting fluid to and from the motors, substantially as described.

6. In a motor the combination of the opposite gear-pistons, the annular gear meshing therewith, and the inlet and outlet chambers at opposite sides of the pistons; with means for introducing fluid under pressure into said inlet-chambers and conducting it from said outlet-chambers, for the purpose and substantially as described.

7. The combination of the casting having a semicircular recess, the gear-piston in said recess, and an annular gear surrounding said casting and meshing with said piston; with means for introducing fluid under pressure at one side of the piston and withdrawing it at the opposite side, for the purpose and substantially as described.

8. The combination of the annular gear, the casting mounted therein having semicircular recesses, gear-pistons journaled in said recesses and meshing with said annular gear, inlet andoutlet chambers at opposite sides of each piston, and means for admitting operating fluid into the outlet-chambers and withdrawing it from the inletchambers, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the casting having semicircular recesses in opposite sides, the gear-pistons journaled in said recesses, and fluid inlet and outlet passages, with the wheelhub inclosing said castings and gear-pistons having an annular gear meshing with said pistons, all substantially as described.

10. The combination of the gear-pistons, the working and exhaust chambers at opposite sides of each piston, and central inlet and outlet passages,the branched passage connecting the central inlet-passage with the working chambers, and the opposite branched passage connecting the exhaust chambers with the outletpassage; with the annular gear surrounding said passages and chambers and meshing with said pistons, for the purpose and substantially as described.

11. The combination of the axle-spindle, the casting attached thereto, the gear-pistons journaled in said casting, the annular hub or casting fitted on the shaft and inclosing said casting and gear-pistons, and an annular gear in said hub meshing with said pistons, all substantially as and for-the purpose described.

12. The combination of the axle-spindle, the casting attached thereto, the gear-piston journaled in said casting, the annular hub or casting fitted on the shaft and inclosing said casting and gear-pistons, and an annular gear in said hub meshing with said pistons; with inlet and outlet passages in the shaft, and passages in said casting leading from said inlet-passage to working chambers on one side I of said pistons, and from exhaust-chambers at the other side of said pistons to the outletpassage all substantially as described.

13. In a moior-vehicle the combination of the front axle, the yokes pivoted to the ends thereof and capable of swinging horizontally having hollow spindles provided with fluid inlet and outlet passages, and means for conducting an operating fluid to and from said passages; with a wheel on said spindle having an internal motor driven by the fluid conducted to it through the passages in said spindle, substantially as described.

14. In a motor-vehicle the combination of the wheels the fluid-motors for operating the wheels located in the hubs thereof, an engine, a fluid-circulating pump, and conduits for conducting the fluid from the pump to the motors and back, substantially as described.

15. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of the tubular rear axle havingoutlet and return passages, and the wheel-motors journaled on the ends of said axle, and having a stationary part fixed to the axle and communicating with the passages therein, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In a motor-Vehicle, a wheel-motor consisting of castings F fixed on the axle, gearpistons journaled in said casting, an annular gear surrounding said casting and gears and meshing therewith, said gear being secured to and within the hub of the wheel which also forms the exterior casing of the motor, for the purpose and substantially as described.

17. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of the hollow rear axle, and the supportingwheels, having motors within their hubs, said motors comprising a casting F fixed on the axle and provided with fluid-passages communicating with the passages in the axle, gear-pinions G journaled in semicircular recesses in said casting, and an annular gear E surrounding said gear-pistons and casting and meshing with the pistons, said annular gear being fixed in the hollow hub of the wheel which hub forms the exterior casing of the motor, substantially as described.

18. In a motorvehicle, a wheel-motor consisting of castings F fixed on the axle, gearpistons journaled in said casting, an annular gear surrounding said casting and gears and meshing therewith, said gear being secured to and within the hub of the wheel which also forms the exterior casing of the motor; with an engine attached to the vehicle-body, a fluid pump operated by said engine, and pipes connecting said pump with the passages in said axle, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

19. The combination of the shaft, the casting as F fixed thereon having opposite recesses F, and branched passages H H and 7L2, 72. with the gear-pistons G, G, and the annular hub E inclosingsaid casting and piston having internal gear E meshing with pistons G, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. The com bination of the shaft 0, the castingF secured thereon having oppositely-leading passages 7L2, 72 and H H and the gearpistons G, G, journaled in semicircular recesses in said casting; with the hub E fitted over said casting having internal gear E meshing with said pistons, and also having bearing-flanges e, c, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

21. The combination with the tube or shaft, interior passages substantially as described, with the two-part coupling D, bolted around said shaft, and having pipe-sockets d, (1', respectively communicating with different passages in said pipe through openings therein, but not communicating with each other, for the purpose and substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM O. WORTH.

In presence of B. P. DONNELLY, W. R. DONALDSON. 

